Cutting entitlements to former politicians would be politically popular but contribute only a “miniscule” amount in budget savings, according to former pPrime mMinister Malcolm Fraser.

Cutting entitlements to former politicians would be politically popular but contribute only a “miniscule” amount in budget savings, according to former prime minister Malcolm Fraser.

Crossbench senators Nick Xenophon and John Madigan are pressuring the government to trim entitlements for ex-MPs – especially the Life Gold Pass for free travel. Some former politicians have said privately they are preparing for expense cuts following Treasurer Joe Hockey’s warnings that all Australians should expect pain in the budget.

The Life Gold Pass – which permits long-serving former politicians to take 10 free domestic business-class return flights a year – cost taxpayers $1.13 million during 2012-13 including family travel costs.

There are no rules preventing the use of the Gold Pass for holiday travel. Ex-MPs have used the pass to travel to Cairns, Broome and the Whitsundays over the Easter long weekend.

Australia’s five former prime ministers outside of Parliament, who receive more generous entitlements, claimed $973,000 in flights, car costs, office costs and other expenses over the same period.

Mr Fraser said reducing expenses would represent only a “tinkering around the edges” compared to axing the government’s “outrageous” $5.5 billion paid parental leave scheme.

“It would certainly stir up some passions but it won’t fix up the budget,” he said.

“Any savings in that area would be miniscule.”

Mr Fraser billed the taxpayer $240,000 from 2012-13, mostly on office facilities. “I believe I’ve used my entitlements constructively – they have allowed me to represent the Commonwealth, the UN and to write a book that I hope will spark some debate,” he said.

John Howard was the top spending ex-PM with $319,000 in expenses over 2012-13.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon said: “Former prime ministers should be treated with respect but otherwise the rule should be: if you leave the job you leave the perks behind.

“The Gold Pass is the epitome of the age of entitlement. There is a politically toxic symbolism to the scheme and the government needs to get rid of it.”

The Gillard government closed the Life Gold Pass scheme for new MPs in 2011 and reduced the number of free trips a year from 25 to 10. Long-serving MPs who joined Parliament before 2012 will still receive a Gold Pass under current legislation.

Former Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett, who received subsided travel after retiring, said: “At a time when the government is looking at raising more money from ordinary people, it ... sticks in people’s craw if former politicians are taking free travel around the country to go on holiday.”

Former MP Ross Cameron said: “There’s no doubt if you are selling the budget on the basis everyone will have to accept some pain then the political class will have to put its hands up for something.”